14 things to do in Montreal today: Saturday, December 1

Happy December, Montreal! To kick off arguably the best month of the year, there’s a bunch of great things happening in Montreal today, December 1.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in Concert

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire will play on a giant screen while a full symphony performs Patrick Doyle’s magical score from the movie. The film will be played in English with French subtitles.

Fans are encouraged to dress up, and relive some of the favourite JK Rowling moments from her early work.

Be sure to remember that even Dumbledore called music, “a magic beyond all we do here.”

When: Saturday, December 1
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, Place des Arts
Tickets: $60.94 – $121.08, available online

Dream Land

Once the ‘Christmas Display House’ gets going, it’s officially the holidays. Sami Hajjar of the West Island will be continuing his ‘Christmas Display‘ house again this holiday season, but he’s upping his game.

Compared to last year’s ‘Frozen Land,’ the upcoming ‘Dream Land’ will feature 250,000 lights, inflatables and synchronized music to five Disney songs, four times a day.

When: From now until December 25
Time: 6 pm – 9 pm (Every hour)
Where: 9035 Jean-Bourdon Avenue, West Island
Price: Free

Village de Noël de Montréal

When: From now until December 23
Time: Weekends from 11:30 am – 9 pm
Where: Place du Marche, corner of St-Ambroise and Atwater
Price: Free

Le Marché de Noël chez Maison Pepin

Maison Pepin has channelled their inner-Harry Potter and have transformed their charming alleyway into a breathtaking rustic Christmas market.

The market itself will feature a variety of locally-made products for sale and DIY workshops from gift packaging to wreath making.

Think about all the Instagramable moments this alleyway presents.

When: From now until December 24
Time: 10 am – 5 pm
Where: 378 Rue St-Paul Ouest
Price: Free

Montreal Bach Festival

The Bach Festival honours Bach and other composers in more than 20 concerts hosted at some of the most beautiful spots of Montreal: Quartier des spectacles, Mont Royal, Le Plateau, Westmount Park.

Hundreds of musicians, singers, and conductors from Quebec and Europe pay tribute to the famous German composer.

It’s enough to make you say, “I’ll be Bach.”

When: From now until December 7
Time: Varies per selection
Where: Various venues around Montreal
Price: $15 – $42, available online

Le Village du Vilain Sapin – Ugly Christmas Tree Launch

It’s important to laugh at yourself. And, that’s exactly what this year’s ‘Ugly Christmas Tree Village’ in Whoville Montreal will be doing this holiday season, literally.

The 2nd edition of Le Village du Vilain Sapin will feature more than just an ugly, Charlie Brown-esque tree as this year’s evergreen will be ticklish.

Yes. A ticklish Christmas tree, the unveiling happened on Friday. It might be worthy of a gander.

When: From now until January 2
Time: 5 pm, illumination of the laughing tree at 6 pm
Where: 57 rue Prince Arthur Est
Price: Free

The Nutcracker Market- Montreal

Every holiday season, the Nutcracker Market brings together hundreds of local artisans for a magical shopping experience.

The market started in 2010 in support of The Nutcracker Fund for Children, the country’s first charity Christmas market symbolizes the kick-off of the holiday celebrations.

10% of all exhibitor’s sales go towards the Fund that each year gives disadvantaged children a unique holiday experience that includes a free performance of The Nutcracker, animated creative workshops and gifts.

When: From now until December 9
Time: 11 am – 7 pm (Monday – Wednesday), 11 am – 8 pm (Thursday and Friday), 11 am – 5 pm (Saturday and Sunday)
Where: Palais des congrès
Price: Free

Alight at Night

When: December 1 and 2, 5 -9, 13-16 ,20-23, 26-31 and January 1-5
Time: 5 pm to 9 pm, 4 pm to 10 pm on Saturdays
Where: Upper Canada Village, 13740 County Rd 2, Morrisburg, On
Price: $12 – $16, depending on age

Village du Père Noël

The Christmas season just isn’t the same without a visit to see Santa. Besides, why take a chance of bumping into the big fella on Christmas Day without getting in some face-time beforehand?

There’s an entire village dedicated to Santa about an hour away from Montreal.

Village du Père Noël is the perfect place for a holiday family getaway. Plus, it’s North of Montreal so in some ways, you’re heading towards the North Pole.

Located in Val-David, the village’s summer activities are transformed into a magical Christmas experience.

Activities include ice skating, tubing, sledding, a petting zoo, and a mini train. And of course, Santa and his elves are on site.

When: December 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, and 22 – January 6 (closed on the 25 for deliveries)
Time: 10 am – 5 pm
Where: 987 Route Morin, Val-David
Price: Adults (individuals two years old and older): $18; Grandparents: $16

Fontaine Boréale

Christmas is usually associated with snow and ice so how about a little element change? For the third consecutive year, the Christmas fountain known as “Fontaine boréale” is returning during the holiday season.

The immersive and multi-sensory experience features the Complexe Desjardin’s Grande-Place water fountain, completely decked out in the Christmas spirit.

Every hour, the fountain lights and shoots up to the shopping mall’s ceiling, accompanied by music, lights and special effects.

Or, it could actually be magic.

When: December 1 – 31
Time: Every hour from 4 pm – 10 pm
Where: Complexe Desjardins, 150 rue Ste. Catherine Ouest
Price: Free

The Montreal Canadiens vs the New York Rangers

It’s an original six matchup this weekend as the Habs welcome the New York Rangers to town.

Look for Price to bounce back between the pipes after a good game versus the Hurricanes on Tuesday.

It’s Shea Weber’s second game of the season and his first Saturday night showing of the campaign. Things will be electric.

When: Saturday, December 1
Time: 7 pm
Where: Bell Centre, 1909 avenue des Canadiens de Montreal
Price: Varying prices, available online

Victorian Christmas at the Cartier’s

Discover how fashion styles dating back to 1867 are still in vogue 150 years later. The exhibition showcases elegant Victorian decor and styles, hot drinks by the fireplace, a Christmas card workshop, and champagne.

When: From now until December 21
Time: 10 am – 5 pm on weekdays, 9:30 am – 12 pm on weekends
Where: Sir George-Étienne Cartier National Historic Site
Price: $7.80

Brainfreeze Polar Bear Dip

Test out your strength as the Brainfreeze: Montréal Edition invites Montrealers of all ages to jump in freezing cold waters for youth mental health and the plunge makes for some pretty hilarious photos.

There’s a $25 registration fee for each polar bear participant and 100% of that money goes to Jack.org’s youth mental health programs.

After the plunge, there will be a community social at September Cafe with fantastic company and hot beverages.

When: Saturday, December 1
Time: 9:45 am
Where: Parc du Quai-de-la Tortue, Old Port
Price: $25, register online

Dance Party 2000

Revisit the year 2000 in music form.

DJs Thomas Leblanc and David Rancourt will be spinning tunes from the year 2000. Listen to your favourite songs and bands from nearly 20 years ago (yikes): Fall Out Boy, Panic! at the disco, Britney Spears, Sugar Ray, Smash Mouth, Avril Lavigne, The Strokes, Postal Service, and the Vines to name a few.

That’ll get the nostalgia kicking. No word yet on whether you need to show up frosted hair tips or a Furby.

When: Saturday, December 1
Time: 11:30 pm – 3 am
Where: Bar Le Ritz PDB, 179 Rue Jean-Talon-Ouest
Price: $10 at the door

See also

• You can fly from Montreal to Australia for under $800 roundtrip this year
• Montreal meets Westeros as local company strikes Game of Thrones deal
• 26 FREE Montreal events worth checking out this December
• Holy Cow! Canada has its own giant steer (PHOTO)